- Position Title
- Botanist
- Agency
- Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Announcement Number
- R8-18-10161111-NS-MP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, March 14, 2018 to Friday, March 23, 2018
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
4.
Have you successfully completed the Directorate Resource Assistant Fellows Program (DFP) and are within a two-year period of eligibility beginning on the date you completed your undergraduate or graduate degree?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your certificate of completion of the program and transcripts as proof of non-competitive eligibility.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your certificate of completion of the program and transcripts as proof of non-competitive eligibility.
5.
Are you a current permanent Department of the Interior or it's bureaus on a competitive career or career conditional appointment?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• Career or Career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• Career or Career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
6.
Are you a current, permanent U.S. Fish and Wildlife employee?
To verify your eligibility as a current U.S. Fish and Wildlife employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility as a current U.S. Fish and Wildlife employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
7.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
8.
Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency and are serving or served under a time-limited competitive service appointment? You may be eligible to compete under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, P.L. 114-47.
Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.
You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (generally SF-50s) and acceptable performance (generally performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.
You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (generally SF-50s) and acceptable performance (generally performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
9.
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?
-OR
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
-OR
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
-OR
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
-OR
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
10.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment? For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
11.
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have never held the grade or full performance level of this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
12.
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
13.
Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service in a Federal agency other than the Agency hiring for this position and have you never held the grade or full performance level of this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF- 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF- 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
14.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
15.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Basic Education Requirement
For each task listed below, select the statement from A through C that best describes your level of experience, education, and/or training. Select only one letter for each task. If you select multiple responses or leave any question blank, your score will be negatively impacted. Do not over-state or under-state your experience, education and/or training. Your responses must be supported by your resume. You may need to provide detailed explanations of how your past work experience or education is related to these tasks.
1.
Basic requirements for the 0430 Occupational Series (Botanist)(must meet "A" or "B" to qualify):
Specialized experience for GS-9 & GS-11
For each task listed below, select the statement from A through D that best describes your level of experience, education, and/or training. Select only one letter for each task. If you select multiple responses or leave any question blank, your score will be negatively impacted. Do not overstate or under-state your experience, education and/or training. Your responses must be supported by your resume. You may need to provide detailed explanations of how your past work experience or education is related to these tasks.
2.
Specialized experience requirement for the GS-09 grade level (must meet A, B, or C):
3.
Specialized experience requirement for the GS-11 grade level (must meet A, B, or C)
Knowledge of botany or ecology concepts, principles, and practices, to include understanding of plant anatomy, taxonomy, physiology, morphology, population dynamics, and ecology to gather and analyze biological and ecological data.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Advise other natural resource professionals conducting consultations and reviews by identifying gaps, and effects of projects on endangered, threatened, or sensitive plant species.
5.
Apply provisions of the Endangered Species Act for determination of impacts to plant species.
6.
Apply the listing process for candidate and/or plant species at risk.
7.
Collect and review biological information for status review of plants considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
8.
Plan and conduct complex inspections of existing projects to ensure legal standards and other
requirements are met in a manner most beneficial to rare plant species.
requirements are met in a manner most beneficial to rare plant species.
Working knowledge of applicable Federal laws, regulations and policies (i.e. Endangered Species Act, National Environment Policy Act, Migratory Bird
Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Acts, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Coastal Wetlands Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, Natural Resources Damage Assessment, etc.).
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
9.
Apply the recovery planning process for listed plant species.
10.
Apply the section 7 process for listed plant species.
11.
Assess federal actions and permit applications.
12.
Assess impact of proposed federal actions, projects and proposals on threatened and endangered species, with specific emphasis on plant species.
13.
Contribute to and actively support an ecosystem management approach to recovering rare plant Species.
Professional knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, and techniques of ecology and fish, wildlife, and plant biology; the skill to evaluate biological
information and habitat requirements of a wide array of species representing several taxa; and a wide command of the scientific literature are essential. Familiarity with plant species, in addition to their relationship as wildlife habitat components, is desirable.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
14.
Ensure that botanical inventory and monitoring projects meet study objectives; are statistically valid and cost effective; and provide interpretations valuable to refuge and regional managers and/or the national inventory and monitoring program.
15.
Plan and conduct a variety of biological evaluations and impact assessments in accordance with prescribed scientific procedures, and established policies and guidelines to evaluate habitat suitability for various rare plant species.
16.
Provide alternative methods, steps or actions to be taken within projects/proposals to avoid
destroying or adversely modifying federally designated critical habitat or other highly sensitive habitats, with specific emphasis on plant species.
destroying or adversely modifying federally designated critical habitat or other highly sensitive habitats, with specific emphasis on plant species.
17.
Provide oversight of classification and recovery actions involving plant species under the
Endangered Species Act.
Endangered Species Act.
18.
Review rules, regulations, legislation, and statutes pertaining to imperiled, candidate, proposed, threatened, and endangered plant resources.
Ability to work cooperatively and diplomatically with private landowners, personnel of other agencies and the public.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
19.
Coordinate activities with other agencies and organizations.
20.
Coordinate and/or attend plant recovery related meetings.
21.
Coordinate status surveys, monitoring, assessment, research or other conservation actions for listed, proposed, candidate, or other imperiled plant species.
22.
Coordinate wide-ranging initiatives involving other federal and state agencies, organizations, and the public in implementing endangered species programs.
23.
Negotiate controversial resource issues to gain acceptance from private landowners, conservation groups, federal and state agencies.
Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, develop spreadsheets, and use word processing
programs in order to develop reports and other written analysis.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
24.
Deliver formal and informal presentations at professional meetings.
25.
Write and edit scientific and technical correspondence; reports; and refereed journal articles related to aquatic plant propagation, aquatic habitat restoration, and Endangered Species Act activities.
26.
Develop a funding proposal for projects involving plant species and sensitive habitats.
27.
Maintain and update files on endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate plant species.
28.
Research literature to address plant status and needs.